I'm torn.... Downtown or suburbs?? :( (San Diego: apartment complex, rental, home) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

Mbrwr · 05-19-2013, 12:48 AM

So we have fallen in love and today actually approved for this high rise apartment in downtown (Vantage Point). We like the feel of the place and the location, downtown SD looks so alive and fun. but we do have 2 kids (12 & 9) and I'm afraid they will be the only kids on that 600+ apartment complex. Even though we have always lived in the suburbs (KY and FL) my kids are not used to running around the neighborhood not just because we are a tight family that actually truly enjoy our kids companies but we were always so busy with soccer and baseball and homework, etc. Anyway... My point is I don't think they'd miss the "playing outside" thing. But I'm not sure how I feel about living in a place where I'll never see another child. On another side I grew up in a high riser and never felt unhappy.
Anyway... Just wanted a little input about kid living downtown. We can't be the ONLY ones... Or can we??

shmoov_groovzsd · 05-19-2013, 08:30 AM

I grew up in a high rise and then moved out to the burbs for school when I was 12 so I understand a little.
IMHO every kid is different and some can acclimate well and others might not. Generally speaking having kids that age will not be the norm especially in the rental high rise. It could be fun for a year or something if the kids are home schooled. But SD downtown is a different beast than NYC in terms of live/work dynamic as it relates to family life like you are mentioning.

Out here in Sd for the 6 years we lived downtown we never saw kids that age there in abundance except seeing them at kid friendly street fairs. It's very likely they were from another part of the city though.

I am not a parent but IMHO it sounds like you are on vacation rather than thinking realistically. Since none of us know you and you are asking the question, it sounds like you may be somewhat doubtful of the realities.
Keep in mind you can always go downtown. There is no bubble there or horrendous traffic like other major downtowns.
I am also not saying to live in the burbs. But really it sounds like you haven't gone off to explore even the city suburbs here which have the best of both worlds.

How long is the lease for? I can't imagine it's easy with a family of four trying to find a place.

cruitr · 05-19-2013, 08:47 AM

San Diego is a 'burbs and beaches kind of city. Less than 1% of San Diego's population lives downtown. I couldn't imagine being 9 yrs old and living in downtown San Diego.

earlyretirement · 05-19-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruitr

San Diego is a 'burbs and beaches kind of city. Less than 1% of San Diego's population lives downtown. I couldn't imagine being 9 yrs old and living in downtown San Diego.

I TOTALLY agree with cruitr about San Diego. I also can't imagine raising 'tweens' in a highrise in downtown San Diego.

Where you thinking about you and your wife when you decided to move down there or the kids? Where will the kids go to school? Where will you work?

I'm not so sure about the "not missing playing outside type of thing". I know when I was that age I loved playing outside.

As Shmoov mentioned, did you even at least go out and explore some other areas?

NYSD1995 · 05-19-2013, 09:22 AM

Vantage point is full of twentysomethings. You'd be literally the only family in that building.

Naomi Manischewitz · 05-19-2013, 09:36 AM

Maybe just stick to living in the suburbs within walking distance or a short drive to a trolley stop?

Downtown is fun but I wouldn't want to live there. I had a friend live in a high rise there in a really nice building but again, it wasn't for me (personal preference though).

ShelbyGirl1 · 05-19-2013, 09:46 AM

No doubt a very personal preference. I could never do it, and I know my kids would have been extremely unhappy in that type of setting.

T. Damon · 05-19-2013, 10:03 AM

I'm an urban junkie and love going downtown frequently- love cities in general- and probably wouldn't want to live downtown and definitely would try to get my kids (I'm childless) into an area where they can hang with other kids. Downtown is pretty compact, fun, fairly clean and safe but still has a bit of scruffiness and an edge brought on by the large homeless population. I'd want my kids in a bit friendlier environment.

My partner's nieces and boyfriend live in that building (twenty something's) and they have us down there pretty frequently to grill on the awesome party/pool terrace. I've never seen someone younger than twenty and very few people older than 35 while there. It just isn't that kind of place.

As others have said it is not a chore at all to get in and appreciate downtown and there are plenty of family friendlier areas very close to it that are not boring blandless suburbs. I would expand my search a bit further to finding a good fit for my family

Mbrwr · 05-19-2013, 10:18 AM

I really appreciate all your responses, we havent signed a lease yet just been approved for one. Anyway... What areas not too far from downtown would you guys recommend?

We're still debating between continue to HS or do charter, public or private.
We're going to do some driving around today and try to see other parts.

Again thank you so much for all your help!!!

pacific2 · 05-19-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbrwr

So we have fallen in love and today actually approved for this high rise apartment in downtown (Vantage Point). We like the feel of the place and the location, downtown SD looks so alive and fun. but we do have 2 kids (12 & 9) and I'm afraid they will be the only kids on that 600+ apartment complex. Even though we have always lived in the suburbs (KY and FL) my kids are not used to running around the neighborhood not just because we are a tight family that actually truly enjoy our kids companies but we were always so busy with soccer and baseball and homework, etc. Anyway... My point is I don't think they'd miss the "playing outside" thing. But I'm not sure how I feel about living in a place where I'll never see another child. On another side I grew up in a high riser and never felt unhappy.
Anyway... Just wanted a little input about kid living downtown. We can't be the ONLY ones... Or can we??

You sound like someone who follows his/her heart. Do what you want as long as it is legal, moral and ethical and makes you and your family happy.

I'm sure you know that people do this everyday in Manhattan. They obviously can't let their children play outside on the streets. The "trick" seems to be to make what NYCers call "play dates." You and your preteens just arrange for them to get together with other kids their age to hang-out at someone's home; to be "chauffeured" to the beach, or to the movies by a parent; or whatever.

It's part of an urban lifestyle. Go for it.